if you look at the study they cite, one of the biggest disparities between groups of kids that have their licenses by the time their 18 and those that don't is their household income, and the biggest reason cited for kids that don't have licenses is not having a car. it probably makes sense that in the wake of a recession and a steadily increasing income disparity there would be a decrease in teenage car ownership/licensing.

/haven't owned a car in 6 years, sh*t's overrated//is "i don't even own a car" the new "i don't even have a tv?"

markie_farkie:I walked to work for 18 months from 82 to 83 to save up for my first car, a used 77 Trans Am (Bandit with gol eagle decals, T-tops, black on black, the whole 9 yards) and it still didn't get me laid.

It must have been the short shorts and knee-high striped socks that doomed me.

You know, these days short shorts and knee-high striped socks could get you laid if you wore them ironically.

markie_farkie:I walked to work for 18 months from 82 to 83 to save up for my first car, a used 77 Trans Am (Bandit with gol eagle decals, T-tops, black on black, the whole 9 yards) and it still didn't get me laid.

It must have been the short shorts and knee-high striped socks that doomed me.

My first car was a '66 Mustang that my grandpa and I (mostly my grandpa) restored from the ground up. It didn't get me laid but it was still a biatchin' ride.

Middle class really sucks now. I drove a god damn beater Taurus into the ground as a teenager, saved up enough to buy a nearly new car at 18 working 3 jobs, drove it to 165 thousand miles till i totaled it after college.Had a couple of beaters after, but could buy a new nicely outfitted fusion at 28.I guess long story short, you should have lived a few lives by the time you are 29

I'm in my 50's. Started out with a 69 Ford Galaxie 500 fastback, 400CI, 4bbl. Gas was 52 cents, 22 gallon tank.It was a used car. Kept it until I got out of college, swapped it for a 3 year old LTD, reliable transportation.Saved, got a 1 year old Ford EXP for fun. Save some more and then started buying Mustangs.Had an 85, 89, 95, 99 and still have my 2011. Start out buying a good used car, not a damn new one.Then, if you want a new one, so be it, but a program car is the best bang for the buck. The minute you drivea new one off the lot, they DROP in price. Urban dwellers in the BIG cities, most of the time don't really"need" a car, but out here in the midwest, you pretty much have to have one.

My first car was a rusted up, broken windshield, no muffler, POS Mercury Topaz. Bought that thing for 350$ cash. For all its quirks it ran for four years before I had to put her down. Being a stupid teen, you always gotta see how fast your car will go flooring it. Got the girl up to 114 in the back country roads.

Price to buy and maintain a car has at least doubled from when I graduated from high school in 2004. I had a '95 skylark I got for just over $1500. My brother was lucky enough to get his license just after Cash for Clunkers, and he was paying almost 4X as much for gas and over double what I did for a similar car.

Great work everyone.

FTA: "My girlfriend drives me everywhere. That sounds sad, and 20 years ago I'd be considered pathetic, but it's almost normal now to be that way," says Mike Clubb, who is in his 20s.

No Mike, you are still pathetic. It's not normal and it's really awkward. Get a job and car or just use public transit.

Another reason often cited is money. Maynard says the average cost of a new car is about $30,000, before factoring in car insurance. Add in the high price of gas in some places and owning a car is simply too expensive for a young person.

If only there were a way for young people to buy a car that wasn't new. Perhaps one that had been driven by a previous owner.

aelat:Another reason often cited is money. Maynard says the average cost of a new car is about $30,000, before factoring in car insurance. Add in the high price of gas in some places and owning a car is simply too expensive for a young person.

If only there were a way for young people to buy a car that wasn't new. Perhaps one that had been driven by a previous owner.

Seriously. Look, if you live in an area where public transportation is awesome, great, you don't need a care. If you live somewhere where it sucks and you need access to an automobile to get around, and you're just bumming rides, get off your lazy ass, earn some money, and buy a used car.

JasonOfOrillia:markie_farkie: I walked to work for 18 months from 82 to 83 to save up for my first car, a used 77 Trans Am (Bandit with gol eagle decals, T-tops, black on black, the whole 9 yards) and it still didn't get me laid.

It must have been the short shorts and knee-high striped socks that doomed me.

You know, these days short shorts and knee-high striped socks could get you laid if you wore them ironically.

I had a 1966 Pontiac GTO as my first car. It was in a mechanic's garage and had not been running for over 10 years. Not only did my dad talk the mechanic into getting it running, but the mechanic sold it to me for $600. I spent 50 bucks for a tape deck and asked my grandma to crochet me a blue afghan that matched the paint. I broke more cherries in that car than a one-handed sundae maker at Baskin-Robbins. I used to let all my buddies that only had a 'learner's permit' drive it on weekend nights, so I could climb in the back and soak panties & fingerbang.

Voodoo_Stu:I've been thinking about going carless, but I have to ask any one who has: How the heck do you get groceries home?

Depends on where you live and available options.

Walk/bike with the groceries if you live close enough. Make the roommate come with if you have one and they want food.Zipcar works if you need to make multiple stops.Simple taxi home isn't a bad option if you live in the city or can arrange one ahead of time.

Voodoo_Stu:I've been thinking about going carless, but I have to ask any one who has: How the heck do you get groceries home?

Never had a problem with this as my neighborhood has several grocery stores within walking distance (including a 24 hour Safeway.) Seems like it would be difficult if you didn't have a grocery store a short walk away.

If you have a lot of groceries there's delivery options in most areas. Those personal shopping carts are handy too, they sell them at hardware stores, Bed Bath & Beyond, etc.

I'm going to buy my stepdaughter's first vehicle. A beat to hell truck. She'll pay for gas, I'll teach her to change the oil. I'll pay for the liability insurance. I'm thinking something along the lines of a late 80's Chevy half ton pickup. Preferably with a shiatty paint job, a V-6 and the dents will have dents.

markie_farkie:I walked to work for 18 months from 82 to 83 to save up for my first car, a used 77 Trans Am (Bandit with gol eagle decals, T-tops, black on black, the whole 9 yards) and it still didn't get me laid.

In all fairness to you, the back seat of a 77 Trans Am is tight and uncomfortable.

I'm 33, and between Car2Go and those bus things I can get where I want. I walk to work (I chose to live near work, go figure?) so it's really pretty easy and way cheaper to now own a car. If I need one, there's Car2Go, rentals, U-Haul, borrowing one, etc.

I drove in LA/OC/San Diego/Bay Area/Portland/Seattle to much to want to drive unless I have to anyway.

davidphogan:I'm 33, and between Car2Go and those bus things I can get where I want. I walk to work (I chose to live near work, go figure?) so it's really pretty easy and way cheaper to now own a car. If I need one, there's Car2Go, rentals, U-Haul, borrowing one, etc.

I drove in LA/OC/San Diego/Bay Area/Portland/Seattle to much to want to drive unless I have to anyway.

And as good news, since I already mangled the English language, at least I won't mangle anything behind a wheel, amiright?